System for commercial use to store and copy images downloaded from a memory unit for digital equipment and its relative apparatus

ABSTRACT

A system to store and copy images downloaded from the memory unit for digital equipment and its relative apparatus. There is the transfer of the contents from the memory of the digital equipment to a data-storage, process and reproduction unit for the images and soundtrack, which is located inside a service center. The transfer is carried out by extracting the memory support unit in order to insert it in the image soundtrack storage, processing and copying unit, which downloads the content into the memory of the unit so that the memory support unit may be returned to the customer, that is, the contents of the memory transferred via air-waves to the main memory of the data-storage unit. The images and/or soundtrack are processed and copied on to a support in Video CD or Super Video CD form and/or on to a DVD in DVD format, and the images are sent to a receiver station.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of this invention is a system, for commercial use, tostore and reproduce images downloaded from a memory unit for digitalequipment, and its relative apparatus.

[0005] The invention is used particularly, but not exclusively, in thesector involved in products and services for photography and informationtechnology, and for the activities of marketing and relative servicesaimed at satisfying individual needs connected to the consumer's use ofimages and sounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] For a number of years, along with conventional cameras, there arealso innovative digital cameras and video-cameras available on themarket. This new kind of equipment means that images may be obtained andrecorded in memory units, such as flash cards, smart cards and memorysticks.

[0007] It is well known that these kinds of memory support unitscurrently cost more than traditional films which use negatives, andgenerally have a limited image storage capacity with, therefore, a verylimited memory capacity. For information purposes, the average capacityof this kind of memory support unit used with digital cameras and/orvideo-cameras varies from 8 Mb to 64 Mb. With this amount of memoryavailable, around 20 to 80 medium-resolution images may be recorded. Itis quite clear, therefore, that in order to use the memory support uniteach time it is close to or reaches its full capacity, the contents ofthe units have to be transferred onto other memory units to “save” theimages photographed or filmed, and in order to use the memory supportunits again.

[0008] On the other hand, while it is true to say that the cost of thesupport units is falling slightly, it is still necessary to buy supportunits with an even larger capacity, because the resolution of digitalcameras is increasing, which means that the images take up more space.This means that, in order to store the same number of images, the costof the support units is increasing.

[0009] Finally, it is fairly clear that, whoever uses this kind ofdigital equipment, wishes to store the images taken in a safe, practicalmanner. At the same time, the expensive memory support unit has to beemptied in order to carry on taking photographs. These two requirementsmay be satisfied by copying the images contained in the memory of acamera, for example, to a more easily usable and cheaper memory unit,such as a CD.

[0010] Most people who own and use digital cameras and video-camerascarry out the operation of storage to the hard disk of their computer athome or in the office by themselves, which leads to a considerableamount of time being involved and a sometimes difficult storage andsubsequent recovery system of the files which contain the images.

[0011] After a certain length of time, even the fixed memory of thecomputers (hard disk) may be filled up, which leads to all theapplications of the computer being slowed down. It is also well knownthat files may be copied from the computer on to a CD, but only afraction of computers currently installed have a CD burner and, what ismore, the operations involved in creating a CD are quite complex fornon-expert users.

[0012] Another alternative for owners of digital cameras, especially forthose who do not own their own PC, is to go to a photography shop tocopy and transfer the images on to a CD. The transfer of the images isnot usually carried out on the premises, but rather in a specializedlaboratory. The time required to prepare the CD and to hand back thememory support unit is usually from one to several days.

[0013] In those cases where the photography shop has its own latestgeneration mini-lab (digital), the transfer of the images on to a CD maybe carried out using this equipment. However, a mini-lab is veryexpensive and is dedicated to the making of prints, so it is doublydisadvantageous when used for making a CD. The disadvantage for theowner of the photography shop is that the printing productivity islimited and a specialized technician is required, while for the customerthere is the disadvantage of having to wait for this service and havingto lose sight of his own costly support unit for an hour or even more.

[0014] Recently, kiosks have begun springing up where a number ofservices are offered on site with delivery in less than an hour, such asthe transfer of images from the memory units of cameras on to a CD. Thekiosk is usually is made up of a mobile unit with a personal computerinside with a “touch screen” which is potentially easy to use. Thekiosks currently on the market offer a number of services, such as thecopying of photographs, printing post-cards, etc. The variety ofservices available and the low level of innovation of the software usedmeans that the kiosk is not always easy to use, such as in the case of aclient who wishes to make a CD where a large number of operations haveto be carried out, some of which are not always easy to follow.

[0015] One type of kiosk service which would seem to have solved theproblem is described in US2001/0017652 (Sato), or in some of theproposals offered by Kodak. This system uses predisposed digitalcameras, which transmit the data of the images to a base station whereit is received. The data is then transferred to a processing andprinting unit in a multi-function center. The limit of this solution isgiven by the fact that the cameras may only be used within theboundaries defined by the image-reception capacity of the receiverstation, a limit which could be applied to well-defined recreationareas, such as theme parks.

[0016] Once the photographs have been taken, one of the basicrequirements of who uses this kind of system is to be able to see themand/or show them to other people, such as friends and relatives.

[0017] The following choices are available:

[0018] 1) printing of the photograph, usually through a photographyshop, where the photograph is printed on the premises if the owner has amini-lab or through an industrial-scale laboratory, or by using a normalinkjet printer which is usually to be found at home or in the office;

[0019] 2) looking at the photograph on the monitor of a computer;

[0020] 3) looking at the photograph on a normal television screen, bydirectly connecting it to the digital camera;

[0021] 4) sending the image via e-mail; and

[0022] 5) storage of the image on an internet site where authorizedusers may gD and see the images.

[0023] In order to print digital images, to transmit them via internetand to view them on a computer screen, there are a variety of systemsavailable on the market, such as the one described in JP2000324473(Fukatsu). This consists of equipment with a display and a memory unitto transmit digital images via radio or telephone, which are then readand checked by a separate, remote instrument. The system which isoffered seems relatively simple to use, but there are costly obligationsinvolved, such as having to take out membership with the provider of theservice. In order to view photographs on normal television screens, onthe other hand, there are only a few systems available, such as the socalled Photo-CD players which are expensive and quite difficult to use.

[0024] One way of viewing images on a television screen is to connect itto a personal computer. This system requires a computer which ispositioned close to the television, and which has a special video card.If we wish to add a simple function, such as a remote control, we mustuse a remote control for computers, which is expensive and alsodifficult to find.

[0025] Another way is to connect the digital camera directly to thetelevision, but the images which are shown are only those memorized onthe dedicated support systems, not those stored on CD.

[0026] Recently, some large laboratories have started offering orannouncing the availability of a service for downloading images on DVD.DVD may then be used by the ever more common DVD players in order toview the images on the television screen. The downloading of the images,which is carried out by specialized technicians in a centralizedlaboratory, is expensive and requires a number of days to be carriedout.

[0027] It may even be necessary for the user to replace his own playerwith a new one in order to see the photographs on his television screen,a cost which is anything but negligible.

[0028] To sum up, therefore, the solutions which are currently availabledo not offer a quick and easy image-storage or soundtrack-storage systemon a CD in Video format, for data pre-recorded on digital cameras,digital video cameras, mobile phones or handheld computers.

[0029] Also, the systems which have been used up until now do not allowa simple reworking process of the images, nor do they allow them to beviewed by means of common equipment such as a television or CD or DVDplayer without the use of special systems.

[0030] In view of theses considerations, it is quite clear that it isimportant to find alternative solutions to those currently available.

[0031] The aim of this invention is also to overcome the aforementioneddrawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0032] This and other aims are achieved by means of the inventiondescribed herein according to the characteristics in the attachedclaims, by solving the problems described with a system, for commercialuse, to store and copy images downloaded from a memory unit for digitalequipment and its relative equipment, which includes the said digitalimages, and soundtrack, being previously recorded with a digital camera,digital video-camera, mobile phone or handheld computer; followed by:

[0033] a) the transfer of the contents from the memory of the digitalcamera, digital video-camera, mobile phone or handheld computer to adata storage, processing and copying unit for the images and soundtrack,and which is located inside a service center;

[0034] b) the transfer is carried out by extracting the memory supportunit in order to insert it in the image and soundtrack storage,processing and copying unit, which downloads the contents into thememory of the said unit, so that the memory support may be returned tothe customer, that is, the content of the memory is transferred viaair-waves to the main memory of the data-storage unit; and

[0035] c) the images and/or soundtrack are processed and copied on to asupport means in Video CD or Super Video CID format and/or on to a DVDin DVD format, and the said images are sent to a receiver station.

[0036] In this way, by means of the significant creative content, whichleads to an immediate technical progress, various objectives arereached.

[0037] A first aim is that it is that is easy to automatically andquickly store images and/or soundtracks recorded on digital cameras,digital video cameras, mobile phones or handheld computers on a CD. Froma practical point of view, there is the advantage that the memorysupport units of the digital equipment may be quickly emptied, whichmeans that they may be quickly reused at a very low cost.

[0038] A second aim is that the data may be viewed both on a normaltelevision and on a computer monitor by means of a DVD player or CDplayer, thus avoiding the purchase of special, dedicated players.Amongst these advantages, it is also possible to transfer the data toone or more chosen users on a network.

[0039] Furthermore, the equipment used for the aforementioned operationsis quite small and may be easily fitted into any surroundings. Finally,from a structural viewpoint, the equipment is not particularlycomplicated, is relatively cheap to buy, small and easy to repair andmeans that the services proposed may be used at very favorable prices.

[0040] These and other advantages will be shown in the followingdetailed description and attached schematic drawings of at least onepreferential application of the solution, the details of which areintended to be an example and not a limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041]FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of the software for the automaticcontrol of the service, which is contained in the equipment located in aservice center.

[0042]FIG. 2 shows another flow diagram of the software for the controlof the service, which is contained in the equipment located in a servicecenter, but in a semi-automatic mode.

[0043]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the hardware employed to run theservice of storage and reproduction of the images.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] With reference to the aforementioned Figures, the customer, oncehe has recorded the images through a digital equipment, possibly alsoalong with the soundtrack, goes to a service center or any other kind ofsales point, especially a photography shop or department store. In theservice center, there is a unit in operation for the storage, processingand copying of the images and soundtrack (A). The said unit (A) iscomposed of the relative hardware with a traditional feeding system (7),and includes at least the following:

[0045] a monitor (1) which may also be of the touch-screen type;

[0046] a keyboard (2) and relative accessories;

[0047] a central processor (3);

[0048] software (4, 5);

[0049] a recording device (6) to record on a CD (C1,C2) in video CDformat and to record on DVD;

[0050] a hard disk (7); and

[0051] a network card (8) in order to also transmit via internet.

[0052] The unit (A) may also be connected to other peripherals such as ascanner (9) or a printer (10), and may also interface, with or without acable connection, with cameras and/or mobile phones which have this kindof system.

[0053] The customer extracts the memory support unit (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5)from his equipment, which may be in the form of a smart card, compactflash, PCMCIA, floppy disk or a memory stick, and inserts it into theunit (A) so that it may be read by the reading unit. All of the manualoperations may be either carried out by the customer himself or by atechnician who is present inside the service center.

[0054] As an alternative, the memory (136) of a corresponding digitalapparatus, for example with the blue tooth system, may be downloadedinto unit (A) wireless, which means that the memory support unit doesnot have to be removed from the equipment.

[0055] In this case, the operator carries out the various steps, andcompletes the operation by inserting a blank CD (C1,C2) into the unit(A).

[0056] The software, which is controlled by the central processor (3),may be either automatic (4) or semi-automatic (5).

[0057] Method used with the automatic software (4). Example shown inFIG. 1.

[0058] The reading unit reads the number and type of images contained inthe memory unit (B1,B2, B3,B4,B5 and B6) and estimates how much time isneeded to make the two CDs (C1,C2). The time is shown on the screen (1).The images are read and saved in a temporary position on the hard disk(7). At this point, the memory support unit (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5) may betaken out and reused. A message shows up which notifies the user thatthis operation may be carried out. The images are copied from the memoryunit to the CD in the same format as the original format created by thecamera. The first CD (C1) is now available and may be extracted. Amessage shows up which notifies the user that this operation may becarried out. The second CD (C2) is inserted in the recording unit by theoperator. The images recorded in the memory unit are automaticallymodified to get the best resolution possible for the chosen video format(e.g. 352×288 pixels for the PAL video format on a Video CD, 704×576pixels for the PAL “still picture” format on a Super Video CD, etc.). Afilm is then created, made up by repeating each single image for apre-set time.

[0059] A preset fade-away effect is inserted in the transition betweeneach of the images. A soundtrack is chosen from those which arepre-recorded and memorized on the hard disk (7), and added to the film.The film is then encoded into the required format (e.g. MPEG-1 for aVideo CD) and recorded on the CD (C2) in the video format chosen, suchas the Video CD format. The second CD (C2) is now ready and may beextracted. A message shows up which notifies the user that thisoperation may be carried out. The images recorded on the hard disk (7)are canceled.

[0060] At this point, the operation is complete and the customer has twoCDs in his possession. The first one (C1) contains the high resolutionimages, which may be stored and viewed on a personal computer. Thesecond one (C2) (or DVD) contains the images predisposed to be viewedwith a DVD player and a normal television. At this point, the unit formaking the CDs (C1,C2) is ready for another user.

[0061] From an operational point of view, the automatic software (4) isdesigned to carry out the following steps:

[0062] i) start-up;

[0063] ii) checks to see if there is a memory unit (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 andB6) from the digital equipment present. If it is present, it goes on tostep (iii), if it is not present, it goes back to step (i);

[0064] iii) copies all the images from the memory (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 andB6) on the hard disk (7);

[0065] iv) calculates the time required to copy the images on to the CD(C1) and displays this information on the monitor (1);

[0066] v) reads the images and copies them on to the CD (C1);

[0067] vi) displays a message on the monitor (1) that the CD (C1) isready;

[0068] vii) reads the type of video format chosen;

[0069] viii) proposes a soundtrack and asks for confirmation, or asks tochoose another piece of music;

[0070] ix) reads the images and accepts the modifications, for examplethe type of resolution, and takes it to the one chosen for the video;

[0071] x) creates the mpeg movie with the images and soundtrack andsaves it on the hard disk (7);

[0072] xi) the movie, which has now been saved, is recorded on the CD(C2) with the recording unit (6) in the video format required; and

[0073] xii) end of cycle.

[0074] Method used with the semi-automatic software (5). Example shownin FIG. 2.

[0075] This mode is different from the automatic mode, in that it ispossible to follow the various phases step-by-step and carry out thechoices regarding the making of the CDs (C1,C2) during the process, andto analyze the images and film on the monitor before they are recordedon the CDs (C1, C2).

[0076] All the operations are carried out with the monitor (1) and thedata-input device (2) (keyboard, mouse or touch-screen).

[0077] The images may be modified by means of simple operations, such asrotation and zooming, before they are recorded on the CD (C1,C2)together with the original copies before being inserted in the movie.

[0078] At any time, it is possible to complete the semi-automaticoperation by continuing with the fully automatic mode.

[0079] Going further into detail, the semi-automatic software (5) worksin the following way:

[0080] i) start-up;

[0081] ii) check to see if there is a memory unit (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 andB6) from the digital equipment present. If it is present, it goes on tostep (iii), if it is not present, it goes back to step (i);

[0082] iii) copies all the images from the memory (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 andB6) on the hard disk (7) and displays them on the monitor (1);

[0083] iv) chooses the images to be saved on the CD (C1). Each image maybe modified, such as rotation, cut-outs and alteration of the colors andthe contrast. The images are shown on the monitor (1) so that theinstruments required to carry out the modifications may be selected;

[0084] v) the images which have been saved are copied on to the CD (C1);

[0085] vi) there is a request to verify if the images are the same asthe CD (C1). If the answer is no, it goes back to step (iv), if theanswer is yes, it goes on to step (vii);

[0086] vii) proposes the most commonly used video format, asks forconfirmation, or chooses another format. The information is displayed onthe monitor (1) and is stored;

[0087] viii) proposes a soundtrack and asks for confirmation, or asks tochoose another piece of music;

[0088] ix) adapts the resolution of the images to that of the videochosen;

[0089] x) creates the mpeg film with the images and soundtrack and savesit on the hard disk (7);

[0090] xi) the movie, which has now been saved, is recorded on the CD(C2) with the recording unit (6) in the video format required; and

[0091] xii) end of cycle.

[0092] The following options are also available:

[0093] If the processor is powerful enough, the operations for thepreparation of the movie may be carried out while the first CD (C1) isbeing copied, thus reducing the total time required to make the two CDs(C1,C2);

[0094] By adding a second recording unit (6), both CDs (C1,C2) may beloaded at the beginning in order to avoid interruptions or delays duringthe process, due to the second CD (C2) not being inserted when the firstone (C1) is ready;

[0095] A recording device (6) may also include a system for recording onDVD. The DVD unit means that a large number of images and movies may berecorded with a higher quality than with a Video CD; and

[0096] Apart from the recording unit (6) for CDs or DVD, a recordingunit for normal VHS video cassettes may also be included. The movie,created by the unit by joining images from the digital camera, may thenbe recorded on a video cassette in order to be seen on a televisionscreen with a normal video recorder.

I claim:
 1. A system, for commercial use, to store and copy imagesand/or soundtracks, downloaded from a memory unit for digital equipment(B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 and B6), and its relative apparatus, which includes aninitial acquisition of digital images and, where required, soundtracks,by means of digital cameras, digital video-cameras, mobile phones andhandheld computers, characterized by the fact that there is: a) thetransfer of the contents of the memory unit (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 and B6) ofthe digital equipment into the memory (7) of a unit (A) for the storageand reproduction of the images and soundtracks; b) processing of theimages and/or soundtracks; c) the reproduction of the contents of thememory on to a support means (C1,C2).
 2. A system, for commercial use,to store and copy images and/or soundtracks, downloaded from a memoryunit according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the supportmeans (C1,C2) is of the CD-type in Video CD format and Super Video CDformat.
 3. A system, for commercial use, to store and copy images and/orsoundtracks, downloaded from a memory unit according to claim 1,characterized by the fact that the support means (C1,C2) is of theDVD-type.
 4. A system, for commercial use, to store and copy imagesand/or soundtracks, downloaded from a memory unit according to theprevious claims, characterized by the fact that the transfer of theimages and/or soundtrack contained in the memory unit (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5)of the digital equipment into the memory (7) of the storage unit (A),requires that the memory support unit (B1,B2,B3,B4, B5) is previouslyextracted from the corresponding digital equipment and inserted in tothe unit (A) and that, once the contents of the memory unit have beendownloaded, the said memory unit may be handed back to the client.
 5. Asystem, for commercial use, to store and copy images and/or soundtracks,downloaded from a memory unit according to claim 1, characterized by thefact that the contents of the memory unit (B6) are downloaded in to thestorage unit (A) without having to remove the memory support unit fromits corresponding digital equipment.
 6. A system, for commercial use, tostore and copy images and/or soundtracks, downloaded from a memory unitaccording to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that in thestorage unit (A), the contents of the images and/or soundtrackreproduced on a support system in Video CD, Super Video CD or DVD(C1,C2) format, are transmitted to a remote receiver station. 7.Equipment, for commercial use, to store and copy images and/orsoundtracks, downloaded from a memory unit (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 and B6)according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact that theimage and soundtrack storage (A), processing and reproduction unit ismade up of at least: a monitor (1); a keyboard (2) and relativeaccessories; a central processing unit (3); software (4,5); a recordingdevice (6) to record on a support (C1,C2) in video CD format and/or torecord on DVD; a hard disk (7); a network card (8);
 8. A system andequipment, for commercial use, to store and copy images and/orsoundtracks, downloaded from a memory unit according to the previousclaims, characterized by the fact that the processor (3) of the imageand soundtrack storage (A), processing and reproduction unit processes asoftware program (4) which has the following steps: i) start-up; ii)check to see if there is a memory unit (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 and B6) from thedigital equipment present. If it is present, it goes on to step (iii),if it is not present, it goes back to step (i); iii) copies all theimages from the memory (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 and B6) on the hard disk (7); iv)calculates the time required to copy the images on to the CD (C1) anddisplays this information on the monitor (1); v) reads the images andcopies them on to the CD (C1); vi) displays a message on the monitor (1)that the CD (C1) is ready; vii) reads the type of video format chosen;viii) proposes a soundtrack and asks for confirmation, or asks to chooseanother piece of music; ix) reads the images and accepts themodifications, for example the type of resolution, and takes it to theone chosen for the video; x) creates the mpeg movie with the images andsoundtrack and saves it on the hard disk (7); xi) the movie, which hasnow been saved, is recorded on the CD (C2) with the recording unit (6)in the video format required; xii) end of cycle.
 9. A system andequipment, for commercial use, to store and copy images and/orsoundtracks, downloaded from a memory unit according to the previousclaims, characterized by the fact that the processor (3) of the imageand soundtrack storage (A), processing and reproduction unit processes asoftware program (5) which has the following steps: i) start-up; ii)check to see if there is a memory unit (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 and B6) from thedigital equipment present. If it is present, it goes on to step (iii),if it is not present, it goes back to step (i); iii) copies all theimages from the memory (B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 and B6) on the hard disk (7) anddisplays them on the monitor (1); iv) chooses the images to be saved onthe CD (C1). Each image may be modified, such as rotation, cut-outs andalteration of the colors and the contrast. The images are shown on themonitor (1) so that the instruments required to carry out themodifications may be selected; v) the images which have been saved arecopied on to the CD (C1); vi) there is a request to verify if the imagesare the same as the CD (C1). If the answer is no, it goes back to step(iv), if the answer is yes, it goes on to step (vii); vii) proposes themost commonly used video format, asks for confirmation, or choosesanother format. The information is displayed on the monitor (1) and isstored; viii) proposes a soundtrack and asks for confirmation, or asksto choose another piece of music; ix) adapts the resolution of theimages to that of the video chosen; x) creates the mpeg movie with theimages and soundtrack and saves it on the hard disk (7); xi) the movie,which has now been saved, is recorded on the CD (C2) with the recordingunit (6) in the video format required; xii) end of cycle.
 10. A systemand equipment, for commercial use, to store and copy images and/orsoundtracks, downloaded from a memory unit according to claims 6,characterized by the fact that the image and soundtrack storage (A),processing and reproduction unit is connected to peripheral equipment,such as at least one scanner (9) and at least one printer (10), and thatit may also interface, via a data transmission system, with compatiblecameras and/or mobile phones.